H.C. Andersen Award illustrations exhibited in Beijing

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The illustrations of those awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award, long regarded as the "Nobel Prize for children's literature", are on display at the National Library of China in Beijing.

With the exception of last year’s winner Rotraut Susanne Berner, whose works are still being collected, art pieces from all other 25 winners through the past 50 years are included.

“The art of illustrations may not be so well recognized as other art works, but those that have won the Hans Christian Anderson awards represent the top level in this arena," said curator Lu Jun made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. "Beijing viewers have showed great enthusiasm for this exhibition, as the tickets have sold quite well.”

Illustration of “Hans Crhistian Andersen Marchen” by Jiří Trnka. /CGTN Photo

Michael Meugebauer from the International Board on Books for Young People said this is the first such comprehensive exhibition worldwide.

“Imagine, 25 artists, it's like putting 25 individual exhibitions, but we combine them into one," said Meugebauer. "In a way, it was easy to ask the ones who are still alive. Would you participate? They happily agreed. But a lot of them were not anyone among us. And we have to negotiate with their families, agents or their publishers. And that became very difficult. But finally we managed it.”

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is named after the 19th-century Danish author of fairy tales, and presented every two years by the International Board on Books for the Young People. It recognizes one living author and one living illustrator for their "lasting contribution to children's literature".

The exhibition runs through the end of October at the National Library of China.